Sam Pickles, 19 from Pudsey, joins from Crawshaw Academy and will work within the Leeds Valuation Team, mentored by Director James Taylor and his team of Chartered Surveyors.  Luke Seaton, 19 from Huddersfield, joins from Shelley College and will work across both LSH’s transactional and consultancy service lines.

Both applicants secured the respective posts as Trainee Chartered Surveyors in the face of stiff competition from more than 70 applicants from across the country.

Sam and Luke join five current surveying apprentices working towards Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredited degrees/professional qualifications within LSH offices at Bristol, Chelmsford, Northampton, Manchester and Lincoln.

As part of the apprenticeship, both Sam and Luke will work towards a RICS accredited degree in Real Estate Management at the University College of Estate Management (UCEM). Upon completion they will undertake the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence, which will enable professional qualification in less than five years. 

As part of its membership of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership Programme, LSH is committed to working with Government to promote the strengths of the North including skills and education. 

Sam said: “After completing my A levels, I knew going straight into full time university was not for me, I wanted to gain hands-on experience in the property industry whilst achieving this higher level of education. I already had an interest in property and construction and monitored the Government’s Apprenticeships website regularly. I’d been searching for an opportunity along these lines for some time, so when this opportunity arose I put my all into succeeding.  I’m really looking forward to starting and pursuing a lifelong career within the industry.”

James Taylor, Director of Valuation at our Leeds office, said: “As a major employer across the North of England and a strong supporter of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, we’re passionate about addressing the skills gap that currently exists across our region and improving the diversity of our workforce by nurturing the next generation of young talent.

“This was a hotly contested vacancy and we were so impressed with the quality and enthusiasm of our applicants that we made two appointments.  With our professional mentoring and continual first-hand practical experience I am sure they will flourish through the fast-track distance learning degree, which is quicker than the traditional university route, to maintain our 100% APC local office pass rate and build long-term careers with Lambert Smith Hampton.”